Four suspects arrested for illegal firearm in the west
"They were arrested after they were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and cellular phones."
Four people were recently arrested in Danville for allegedly robbing a jogger with an illegal firearm. Police spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma said the four suspects did not only rob the jogger but also other residents in the area moments before they were arrested last week Thursday.
“Around 11:30, a man stopped a sector patrolling vehicle saying he had been robbed of valuables at gunpoint,” said Vuma.
According to Vuma, the victim indicated to the officers that the suspects were still lurking in the area. Police located the suspects walking down Van De Burg Street. Vuma said the police stopped the suspects and searched them.
“They were arrested after they were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and cellular phones,” said Vuma.
“The suspects have appeared in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on charges on the possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition and armed robbery,” she said.
In Atteridgeville three people were also recently arrested with an illegal firearm and ammunition. The SAPS and Tshwane metro police officers were on routine patrol in Pretoria West when a community member contacted them about a suspicious vehicle, Vuma said.
“The vehicle was allegedly used to commit crimes such as house robberies and business robberies, particularly targeting the Pakistani-owned shops. The vehicle was spotted by the metro police patrolling Von Hagen and Rebecca streets.”
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Vuma said the police stopped and searched the vehicle and ‘a loaded firearm wrapped with an orange cloth was found’.
Three men aged 31, 36 and 42 were arrested and detained at Pretoria West police station. Pretoria West station commander Michelle Toohey applauded all the involved members for the arrest.
“I send out my gratitude to that community member who didn’t turn a blind eye when he spotted the suspicious vehicle.”
Johan van Staden, chairperson from Hercules CPF said that criminals operating in the area were heavily armed.
“These criminals use unlicensed firearms and they target people that either walk alone in quiet streets or sit at Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Van Staden.
Van Staden concludes that the criminals made use of different vehicles by approaching people and stealing their items including cellphones and jewellery.
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“We had a few incidents where residents in parts of Pretoria West were approached by a suspicious VW Polo where suspects threatened them with firearms and stealing their belongings.”
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